The stage is nearly set for tomorrow’s (Sat., December 16, 2017) UFC on FOX 26 from the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Canada, as all participating athletes weighed in at today’s early weigh-ins. Robbie Lawler will take on surging contender Rafael dos Anjos for a supposed 170-pound title shot in the main event, while former featherweight […]
The stage is nearly set for tomorrow’s (Sat., December 16, 2017) UFC on FOX 26 from the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Canada, as all participating athletes weighed in at today’s early weigh-ins.
Robbie Lawler will take on surging contender Rafael dos Anjos for a supposed 170-pound title shot in the main event, while former featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas will meet Josh Emmett in the co-main.
All that’s left is for the fighters to face off at the ceremonial weigh-ins, so join LowKickMMA for the live stream starting at 7pm EST/4pm PST here:
The UFC is set to close out an otherwise questionable 2017 on a high note, and that will begin tomorrow night (Dec. 16, 2017), when UFC on FOX 26 happens live on FOX from Winnipeg, Canada. The main card is without question one of the best in recent memory, boasting an incredible lineup of fights. […]
The UFC is set to close out an otherwise questionable 2017 on a high note, and that will begin tomorrow night (Dec. 16, 2017), when UFC on FOX 26 happens live on FOX from Winnipeg, Canada. The main card is without question one of the best in recent memory, boasting an incredible lineup of fights.
In the main event, former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler will take on former lightweight titleholder Rafael dos Anjos in a five-round bout, with the winner possibly earning a shot at 170-pound kingpin Tyron Woodley.
In the evening’s co-main event, former featherweight title challenger Ricardo Lamas will meet Josh Emmett. Also on the main card, surging welterweights Santiago Ponzinibbio and Mike Perry will clash.
Without further ado, let’s take a deeper look into UFC on FOX 26’s top fights:
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos
In a bout between two of the most aggressive southpaws in the welterweight division, UFC on FOX 26’s main event is expected to produce fireworks.
After losing his title via first-round knockout to Tyron Woodley in July 2016, Lawler took some time off before returning to the Octagon at UFC 214 this past July, where he scored a decision victory over Donald Cerrone.
At 35 years old, the “Ruthless” one has been through his fair share of wars, but he still remains the No. 1-ranked fighter in the division.
On the feet, Lawler prefers to use his hands, but he has rounded out his striking game over the years. I’d argue that the ex-champion is faster than most give him credit for, and he packs serious fight-ending power in both of his hands. These traits, in addition to the relentless pressure that Lawler likes to put on his opponents, makes him a threat on the feet at all times.
On the contrary, the “Ruthless” one isn’t known much for his submission game, but he does have a wrestling background and often displays strong takedown defense. If the fight does end up hitting the canvas, however, Lawler may be in trouble.
Dos Anjos, a third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is one of the very best grapplers in MMA now. The Brazilian possesses a strong offensive wrestling game as well, and may be able to drag Lawler to the ground.
In the striking arena,dos Anjos is also dangerous. Like Lawler, he likes to move forward at an aggressive pace and put pressure on his opponents. He’s fast, powerful, and mixes up his punches, kicks, and knees well.
It’s also key to note that RDA has looked rejuvenated since moving up to welterweight, winning two straight over Neil Magny and Tarec Saffiedine.
Ultimately, I can see this fight going either way. If it goes to the ground, dos Anjos certainly has the advantage, and both men are skilled on the feet.
I’m going to go with my gut though, and side with Lawler. I expect him to come out firing as he often does, but I’m not sure we’ll see an early finish. I think Lawler’s size and experience in five-round fights will steer him towards a late victory.
Prediction: Robbie Lawler def. Rafael dos Anjos via fourth round TKO
On the strength of a two-fight win streak, rising UFC welterweight Mike “Platinum” Perry will attempt to bulldoze his way onto the official UFC rankings by defeating No. 10-ranked Santiago Ponzinibbio on the main card of this Saturday’s (December 16, 2017) UFC on FOX 26 from the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Canada. One of the […]
On the strength of a two-fight win streak, rising UFC welterweight Mike “Platinum” Perry will attempt to bulldoze his way onto the official UFC rankings by defeating No. 10-ranked Santiago Ponzinibbio on the main card of this Saturday’s (December 16, 2017) UFC on FOX 26 from the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Canada.
One of the most colorful personalities in MMA throughout 2017, “Platinum” will face by far his biggest test in the Brazilian “Gente Boa,” but that didn’t stop Perry from predicting a vicious first-round knockout while speaking to MMA Junkie in Winnipeg today:
“I’m going to stand in the middle of the octagon, and he’s going to bounce around and move and try to find that range,” Perry said. “I’m going to time that range, and he’s going to come in, and I’m not going to move. I’m going to slip out of the way and catch him with the counter, and I’m going to knock him out, unconscious, in the first round – guaranteed.
Perry continued to blast his upcoming foe by berating Ponzinibbio’s fighting style, fixating on Gunnar Nelson’s suggestion that he had poked him in the eye during their recent match-up. “Platinum” had little respect for Ponzinibbio’s punches, adding that if he tried to poke him in the eye and errantly put his finger in his mouth instead, he may bite it off:
“He likes to throw punches like a middle school girl,” Perry said. “He likes to open his fingers. I don’t know if he’s trying to palm at the hands. I’ve seen some videos where he was literally trying to stick his fingers in people’s eye. He also does this one, too, where he sticks the knuckle if he can land it in your eye.
“I like that. Come with it. If your finger goes in my mouth, it might get bit off.”
Perry even went as far as to have his teammates poke him in the eye to get a feel for potential actions while training for the fight:
“I was like, ‘No, keep going, that’s good. It didn’t stop me or phase me for one second. This is what I do. I live for the pain.”
As they typically do for the FOX-based card, the UFC production team posted another edition of “Road to the Octagon,” spotlighting three of the main card bouts set for this Saturday. The event features a No. 1 contender match in the welterw…
As they typically do for the FOX-based card, the UFC production team posted another edition of “Road to the Octagon,” spotlighting three of the main card bouts set for this Saturday. The event features a No. 1 contender match in the welterweight division between former 170-pound champion Robbie Lawler and ex-lightweight titleholder Rafael dos Anjos […]
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Mike Perry is enjoying a boost of momentum thanks to two impressive knockouts over Jake Ellenberger and Alex Reyes in 2017, wins that have earned him a pivotal showdown with fellow knockout artist Santiago Ponzinibbio at December 16’s UFC on FOX 26. But ‘Platinum’ has also ground the proverbial promotional ax […]
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Mike Perry is enjoying a boost of momentum thanks to two impressive knockouts over Jake Ellenberger and Alex Reyes in 2017, wins that have earned him a pivotal showdown with fellow knockout artist Santiago Ponzinibbio at December 16’s UFC on FOX 26.
But ‘Platinum’ has also ground the proverbial promotional ax himself, and his highly-publicized efforts include showing up to October 21’s UFC Gdansk to get in the face of main event winner and fellow welterweight riser Darren Till.
Now, ‘Platinum’ is back with his own sort of shall we say, ‘unique’ video he posted on Instagram for Halloween today (Tues., October 31, 2017), where he smashed several pumpkins with various Muay Thai techniques while debuting a cringe-worthy rap beginning with the words. ‘I’m ghoulish, you foolish – to accept a fight with me.’
Mike Perry and Santiago Ponzinibbio are set to throw leather. UFC on FOX 26 takes place inside the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on Dec. 16. The UFC took to Twitter to announce that Perry and Ponzinibbio will mix it up on the card. Both men are coming off highlight reel finishes. Perry knocked out Alex […]
Mike Perry and Santiago Ponzinibbio are set to throw leather. UFC on FOX 26 takes place inside the Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on Dec. 16. The UFC took to Twitter to announce that Perry and Ponzinibbio will mix it up on the card. Both men are coming off highlight reel finishes. Perry knocked out Alex […]
